Hi,my name is Alan Woodcock.I have been bird-watching in the area for nearly fifty years and (bird ringing)since 1980.I hope to keep up to date sightings of wildlife I have seen (mainly birds)with occasional diary entries of past times.

So far this winter at New Hythe its been slow bird wise.No cold weather wildfowl or grebes of note and I still haven`t seen a Siskin or Redpoll,although Goldfinches as usual are present in good numbers feeding on the Teasel heads.This morning I had 49 species,birds of note being -Kingfisher (1),Little Egret (1),Redshank (1),Green Sandpiper (1) Snipe (2) Pochard (12),Shoveler (4) Teal (38) Lapwing (4) Common Buzzard (1) Chiffchaff (2) Water Rail (1) Goldcrest (1) and Treecreeper (1).

Pochard continue there downward trend in numbers.My maximum count so far this winter is just (19) birds.My garden is also slow,with no sightings so far of Reed Buntings or Blackcaps.

Sunday, 11 December 2016

Today I spent a very pleasant morning on Sheppey,My target bird was the Richard`s Pipit,back again for its forth winter,I believe?.I did manage to see it,but only in flight.Once it had gone to ground it proved to be very elusive.
I was also pleased to see a nice male and female Hen Harrier quartering the salt marsh nearby.a species which is now less common on Sheppey than formerly.

Wednesday, 7 December 2016

News of a Jack Snipe showing well in front of the Restharrow scrape hide yesterday. Prompted myself and some friends to pay the place a visit this morning.Although there was plenty of Common Snipe on view,unfortunately the Jack Snipe was not seen.Which was a shame as the light this morning was very good.

We called in at Stonelees,later and managed to find two Waxwings.A small flock was reported from there last week I believe.